Horseface
Nearly 30 years after her first Orlando appearance, veteran international Fringe performer Alex Dallas returns with Horseface, a topical solo dramedy for the #MeToo era that manages to wring big laughs — along with a few gut-wrenching gasps — from subjects like manspreading, unwanted masturbation, and secret porn collections. This is the kind of well-constructed, intimate monologue that used to be the lifeblood of the Fringe Festival before the explosion of musicals and variety acts. Patrons with a Y chromosome may find Dallas’ tale of testical targeting a bit uncomfortable to hear about, but by deftly navigating such sharp shifts between comedy to tragedy, Alex proves she’s got the biggest balls in the room.
Red Venue
Saturday, May 25th 9:30 PM
Sunday, May 26th 1:30 PM
Blind to Happiness
Surely no one consciously decides to be depressed. But do you believe it’s possible to choose to be happy, or at least happier? That’s the question Canadian writer/performer Tim C. Murphy wrestles with in Blind to Happiness, a one-man show about a diabetic dishwasher and his restaurant cohorts. The three characters Murphy inhabits all struggle with addiction and self-esteem, but the script doesn’t bash you over the head with their issues. Instead, Tim’s subtle shifts in voice and physicality allows us get acquainted with each of them as quirky, complex individuals. Sweet without being saccharine, Murphy’s soulful show takes time to examine those among us who are too often overlooked; it would be a terrible shame if this tender, low-key charmer was overlooked as well.
Brown Venue
Friday, May 24th 7:15 PM
Sunday, May 26th 5:15 PM
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